Dean's Osama oops (he didn't really mean it)

New York Daily News ^ | 12/27/03 | JOHN A. OSWALD

[kattracks]

Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean quickly clarified comments yesterday that he won't judge Osama Bin Laden without a trial. "I've resisted pronouncing a sentence before guilt is found," Dean told New Hampshire's Concord Monitor.

"I still have this old-fashioned notion that even with people like Osama, who is very likely to be found guilty, we should do our best not to, in positions of executive power, not to prejudge jury trials," he said.

It took the former Vermont governor a few hours after the story got picked up on the Internet and on wire services to realize that even if the American way is "innocent until proven guilty," it might not be a courtesy extended the terror mastermind.

Dean later told The Associated Press, "As an American, I want to make sure he gets the death penalty he deserves."

The Dean for America press office also weighed in, issuing this statement by Dean: "I share the outrage of all Americans."

He continued: "Bin Laden has admitted that he is responsible for killing 3,000 Americans as well as scores of men, women and children around the world. This is exactly the kind of case that the death penalty is meant for."

The Bin Laden gaffe was just the latest in a string of Dean statements that he later found himself clarifying. The most infamous one has been his pining on the campaign trail for the votes of Southerners with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.

Dean told The AP he was simply trying to state in the Concord Monitor interview that the process of trying Bin Laden needs to be fair and credible.

But he in no way sympathizes with the Al Qaeda leader, the Democratic front-runner said.

"I'm just like every other American, I think the guy is outrageous," he insisted.

Originally published on December 27, 2003

[boomop1]

His handlers are having problems with his programing, kind of reminds me of the movie West World old Yul Brener went ape.

[Quix]

DEAN IS AN IDIOT

AND he clearly thinks all the sheeple are so much idiots as to vote him in regardless of the idiocy which flows from his diarrhetic mouth.

Lord, it would be wonderful if he could have an Alice-N-Wonderland Cheshire cat experience with his MOUTH on CNN PRIME TIME.

[angkor]

I still say it is all a set-up for Hillary.

I'm not sure it's a setup, but it has worked out for Hitlery that the Rat frontrunner is a certifiable loon with no chance of winning 2004, and he gets more demented every week.

I'm certain that evey last one of the Dean DUmmies would flip to Hitlery in a heartbeat, and commiserate over on DU that it's "the best thing for the Party."

I agree that Hitlery can't afford to wait in the wings until 2008, and by obtaining her last-minute emergency candidacy, she's avoided the long slog of campaigning and excessive mingling with the great unwashed. Not to mention all those impertinent questions from reporters and constituents.

[jocon307]

"Outrageous? RuPaul is outrageous."

LOL, well put! Outrageous really doesn't get the job done, word-wise. Dean is a moron, and also, outrageous!

[mrtysmm]

I find that Dean is quite entertaining....and it's only just begun! Get the pop-corn ready....the show is about to start!

[Glenn]

I find that Dean is quite entertaining....and it's only just begun!

Dean is the disposable diaper for the body politic in 2004. A strawman. Gephardt is the annointed candidate. You heard it here first.

[hellinahandcart]

Take a look at the trigger.

I really, really, really think that is supposed to be Dean's necktie.:D

[mrtysmm]

Very well said. Hitlery is in the fight of her life, political that is. If Dean gets the nod, she loses control of the party to Algore and will have to fight him in 08. The only way to stop that is to jump into the race even if it is prematurely. She MUST get rid of Dean before he gets rid of her. I think we all know that she won't win over Bush...she knows that too...but for the control of the DNC she MUST make a move. Could be very interesting to watch.

[mrtysmm]

Sounds about right! Dean's got it down pat.

[mrtysmm]

Gephart??? I don't see it, but anything can happen with this bunch of loonies. If it is Gephart....it looks like a win for Bush....imho.

[OldFriend]

Dean will win EVERY dem primary. Proving once again that there are very few principled people in that party.

Just listen to C-SPIN and you will begin to wonder if they're all insane.

[Polybius]

The Bin Laden gaffe was just the latest in a string of Dean statements that he later found himself clarifying. The most infamous one has been his pining on the campaign trail for the votes of Southerners with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.

So, according to New Yorkers, these guys are more "infamous" than Osama bin Laden?

[mel]

Absolutely

[Quix]

NO DOUBT!

Was just thinking . . . I think Dean's volatility may be even greater, more fragile than Shrillery's.

Wouldn't it be grand if we could get them to fall over the emotional, behavioral edge on CNN prime time at the same meeting at the same time.

I wonder if we could get them foaming at the mouth.

It's sure worth a lot of planning and practicing body language, mime sorts of acting-in at their events to TRY and trigger such!!! I think it could be done.

Of course, the FREEPERS doing so would probably need immediate protection for their lives but that's probably doable, too.

[cynicom]

Mad Dog Dean is a dangerous man when one considers the welfare of this country should he ever become president. Not only is he supported by the looney left, he is a loon in his own mind.

[jalisco555]

This guy just can't stop, can he? He's writing Karl Rove's ad copy for him.

[OldFriend]

Beginning to seem as tho Dean needs a rabies shot!

[TexasCajun]

Yeah right. This statement alone is enough to doom Howie in NYC. He might not even carry the big blue state of NY.

I just hope the RNC has the testicals to run ads with Dean's original comments all year long.

[Catspaw]

Ah, yes, another "what I really meant to say...." moment.

[cynicom]

Mad Dog Dean so much reminds me of the frothing at the mouth Hitler of the 1930s. I suspicion if the man ever became president, he indeed might become Hitler incarnate. Democrat voters indeed need a review of history.